Is it okay to take long car trips if I am in my third trimester?

In general, there is no reason to avoid travel via car just because you are pregnant. As long as there are no identified complications or concerns with your pregnancy, it is save to travel throughout the pregnancy.

The main reason you may find to restrict long car trips in late pregnancy is a practical one. If you are far away from your physician and your chosen place of birth and start labor, you may likely not make it back in time to have your birth in the manner and place that you desire.

There are a few things you can do during pregnancy to make travel by car more tolerable:

- If possible, bring a companion so you can relax and avoid doing all the driving.

- Buckle up, every time you get into a car.

- Try to limit the amount of time you are cooped up in the car. Seek to keep travel time around five to six hours.

- Use rest stops to take short walks and stretches to keep the blood circulation going.